The Second Week in the Third Grade

.......is apparently really tough.

I'm not sure if it's because we had the summer off (which makes me wonder if year round school would be a better choice?) or just that the third grade is getting more challenging, but there have been lots of tears and "I can't's" and "It's just too hard" and the like. Not from me, I might add. Why, yes, I have thought all those things at some point this school year, I just try to keep such things to myself.

Ansley and Christian are really enjoying our new curriculum. They LOVE learning about animals, especially Ansley, and I really enjoy all the reading we do together on the couch. The books are so fun and engaging! We have two read-alouds that I read a chapter a day from, and then many animal books, exploring nature books and fun activities that we read and do together.

But sometimes, I'm learning, school is work. There is a lot of writing that is required of Ansley, and she enjoys the creative writing part, but then gets weary when it's capitalization or nouns.

It also can get tough when Christian gets to practice writing letters in flour while Ansley is writing out spelling words.

But for the record, one child was pleased today. When I showed him this, Christian said "This is awesome!" And it kept him occupied for a LONG time. But of course Ansley thought it was much more fun to play with flour than do her math homework.

Sigh.

Avery takes her reading time very seriously.

Some days go really smoothly and some days are really challenging. Some days I'm pumped up and some days I'm weary. Right now my days are so consumed with school and activities, nursing and rocking, fixing meals and cleaning them up, wiping, soothing, loving, giving, encouraging, baking, grading, reading, laughing, writing, picture-taking, cleaning, making, folding and sorting OH MY! Perhaps more weary than pumped.

But most days, I'm confident, I am learning far more than they do. I'm learning to be a patient Mama, who chooses to give grace and love instead of frustration and anger. I'm learning to be joyful in my mothering, because these days are SO crazy busy and one piles on after the other and pretty soon they are gone. And I want to be the Mama who laughs instead of cries, who praises instead of criticizes, who offers hugs and kisses instead of demands and orders.

And day by day, we will get there, with much grace for the journey.

 

Comments

[Renee]

At my house, the elementary students often wish they could do the fun preschool activities too. I remind them that they did preschool stuff when they were Lydia's age and when she's their age she'll be doing their work. Some days I let them join in when they are finished. . . I always appreciate your perspective on learning and growing as a mom and teacher! You challenge me to keep a right perspective! Thank you, sweet friend! Hope you have a great Friday finishing up your school week!